Walk-a-thon 2026
When: Wednesday October 21st, 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Where: Paden Lower Yard
Who: All Paden students, staff, volunteers, and families who would like to cheer on the students.
What: Students raise money by receiving donations per lap or a flat donation. There will be a route marked off around the lower yard with stations for each grade level. Students walk, jog, or run around the path and get their laps marked at their grade level station.
Average lap totals: TK - 7 laps | Kindergarten - 17 laps | 1st grade - 24 laps | 2nd grade - 26 laps | 3rd grade - 28 laps 4th and 5th grade - 30 laps.
Why: This is our BIG fundraiser. Our goal is to raise $70,000 to support tutoring and extra academic support, field trips, art and garden docents, $500 teacher mini-grants, 5th grade science camp, assemblies and more enrichment opportunities for our Pelicans.
See below for information on collecting donations, signing up to help at this fun event, purchase a walkathon shirt for yourself (all students receive a free shirt already), and learn more about the walkathon timeline.
Our Pelicans will be working up the appetite at this year's Walk-a-Thon! Please consider contributing by donating some snacks for the event.
This year's Walk-a-Thon t-shirt is out! All students (and volunteers!) will get a free t-shirt, but now you can match your child’s class with your very own adult size t-shirt. Order by Sept. 28th and select “store pickup” to ensure timely receipt before the walkathon.
Volunteers make the magic happen. Sign up to help set up the event, prepare snacks, mark lap cards or count donations.
Register and Spread the Word
Register on Pledgestar and send the link out to at least 5 family members and friends.
Even if you made a Pledgestar account last year, you need to click “not registered”
Click “Not Registered For This Year’s Event”
Enter your name and email address, then click “Submit”
Follow the instructions on-screen to register Walker(s) and add family and friends
You can also use the app on your phone: enter the event code “paden” and follow the instructions
We will have 4 prizes drawings opportunities for families who send out donations requests :)
The Walkathon Timeline + Helpful Info
September 20th - official launch of the Walkathon fundraiser!
See above for how to register on Pledgestar for online donations.
Over the course of the next month, students can request online donations via Pledgestar, Paypal (link provided on donation collection envelope), cash or check (using collection envelope to track and collect donations).
Donations can be “flat” or a set donation provided immediately OR
Pledge a “per lap” donation (e.g. $1 / lap walked) which is provided after the walkathon is complete and you know how many laps your student was able to do.
September 21 - Envelopes sent home
Keep an eye out this week for Donation collection envelopes which will go home with students as early as Monday.
September 25 and October 2, 9, and 16 - Prize drawings on each of these Fridays during morning ceremony. Each set of 5 donation requests that week earns a student an entry in the drawing for a fun prize (TBD but past years included Pinball museum and Subpar passes!)
October 15 - Walkathon shirt sorting. A group of parents will sort all shirts by class - use volunteer link above to sign up to help!
October 19 - Walkathon shirts go home with students
October 20 - Walkathon track is prepared + chalked
October 21 - Walkathon!!
From about 9- 11:15am (shorter for TKers) students will walk or run around a track marked on the lower yard. Scheduled snack breaks will take place by grade level. Families are invited to come watch and cheer on their students if they would like.
All students should wear comfortable shoes and bring their donation collection envelopes, a water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat.
October 30 - Walkathon envelopes due
Did you get per lap pledges? Collect the amount owed based on the number of laps completed, and return to the school office by this date.